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Given that SOF materials have both inorganic and organic properties and are easy to prepare and structurally designable, this paper carries out the microbehavioral analysis and membrane design of SOF-8, SOF-9, and SOF-10 membranes for the hydrogen purification process of RMFCs. Since three materials have complementary performance characteristics for hydrogen purification, this paper focuses on the gas separation behavior of these three composite membranes using molecular dynamics simulations. Results showed that the SOF-9a+10a composite membranes could 100% block CO 2 and CO, and displayed an excellent H 2 permeability of 6.118 × 105 GPU during H 2 /CO 2 separation, which exceeded the industry standard by nearly 105 times. Additionally, the SOF-9a+8 and SOF-10a+8 composite membranes improved gas selectivity and maintained high H 2 permeability. Moreover, microdiffusion analyses revealed that the small pore sizes and irregular-shaped pore channels effectively hindered CO 2 and CO transport. Microscopic analysis shows the potential of SOF composite membranes for gas separation. [Display omitted] • SOF composite membranes can effectively improve gas selectivity. • Small pore sizes and irregular pore channels can effectively block CO 2 transport. • SOF-9a+10 can 100% intercept CO 2 and CO. • The interaction between gas and membrane affects the gas separation performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For proton exchange membranes (PEM) used in vanadium redox batteries (VRBs), doping metal-organic framework (MOF) materials to enhance the proton permeability and vanadium ion barrier property of PEM has become a research focus. In synthesizing MOFs, conventional hydrothermal method is hindered by prolonged reaction time and suboptimal material structures. This study utilizes microwave assisted heating for the preparation of UIO-66-NH2 crystals, which are then combined with Nafion to fabricate composite membranes. The results indicate that microwave heating enables a more efficient and rapid synthesis of MOF crystals (MU-NH2), with enhanced uniformity and higher yield than the conventional hydrothermal process (CU-NH2). Compared to MU-NH2/Nf-0(vanadium ion permeability: 4.4 × 10−7 cm2·min−1; ion selectivity: 5 × 104 S·min·cm−3), the vanadium ion permeability of MU-NH2/Nf-3 and CU-NH2/Nf-3 membranes exhibits a similar level of reduction, approximately 82%. Additionally, the former demonstrates an enhanced ion selectivity by 33.3%, while the latter shows an increase of 30.9%. VRBs equipped with MU-NH2/Nf membranes exhibit higher energy efficiency (83.8% at 100 mA·cm−2) and better capacity retention than those with CU-NH2/Nf membranes (82.7% at 100 mA·cm−2). Therefore, UIO-66-NH2 synthesized via the microwave method can effectively enhance the comprehensive properties of proton exchange membranes and shows promising prospects in optimizing the performance of VRBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polymer composite membranes based on sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and strontium cerate (SrCeO3) were prepared by dispersing SrCeO3 nanoparticles into SPEEK solution with the solvent casting method. The prepared composite membranes are characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, water uptake, ion exchange capacity, proton conductivity, methanol permeability, thermogravimetric analysis, and oxidative stability. Significant improvement has been attained through the successful combination of the organic and inorganic phases. TGA showed that all the composite membranes exhibited good thermal stability. The maximum proton conductivity of 32.1 mS/cm was achieved at (25 °C) upon incorporating 06 wt.% of the SrCeO3 nanoparticle. The excellent proton conductivity of the membranes can be attributed to the presence of SrCeO3 nanoparticles, which can act as pathways for proton transport. The prepared polymer composite membranes exhibited high selectivity compared with pure SPEEK and Nafion 117. From the observed results, the prepared 94 wt% SPEEK and 06 wt% SrCeO3 composite membranes can be considered opposite polymer electrolyte membranes for the application of direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wide range of active agents, synthetic and natural agents such as essential oils, chitosan and polyphneols consisting of curcumin, gallic acid, anthocyanins, and catechins have been used in order to develop antimicrobial packaging systems, and among them, natural polyphenolic compounds, specially curcumin (Cur) has great potential due to effective biological activities in developing food packaging material. Quercetin (Quer) is also the mostly studied flavonol as a color‐changing indicator in the food industry and has been already developed as a realistic alternative for smart and active food packaging. The reason for choosing these two polyphenolic compounds is that they simultaneously possess many beneficial properties such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antitumoral, and anti‐inflammatory effects. Additionally, the main objective of the study is to combine polypropylene (PP), which is the most preferred and cost‐effective polymer in the packaging industry, with these active ingredients, rather than using more expensive polymer types. In this context, PP‐Quer or PP‐Cur membranes, which are new experiences based on these literatures were chemically characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the surface morphology of these composite membranes was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The antibacterial response against gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram‐negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria species was investigated. Furthermore, the reactive oxygen species generation and anticancer activity of these composite membranes using human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT‐29) were observed. We proposed that PP‐Quer or PP‐Cur composite membranes can be a potential candidate as active packaging material in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution significantly challenges human health, ecosystems, and the planet's sustainability. Widespread air, water, and soil contamination from various pollutants requires effective and sustainable solutions to reduce or eliminate pollution and its impacts. In this work, we designed novel magnesium oxide and graphene oxide (MgO@GO) composite free-standing membranes for nanofiltration. The membranes were characterized with the help of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Further, free-standing MgO@GO composite membranes with different thicknesses were used to measure the water permeance. 410 nm-thick membranes showed high water permeance up to 480 ± 5 Lm−2 h−1 bar−1. Further, the rejection efficiency of the membrane was measured against NaCl, CaCl2, Pb(NO3)2, CdCl2, and amoxicillin. The MgO@GO membrane (410 ± 10 nm) showed 100% rejection for amoxicillin and 99% for Pb(NO3)2, respectively. Additionally, the membranes were stable under acidic and neutral conditions for approximately ∼80 days and may used on an industrial scale to ensure water is clean and free from harmful substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) was utilized as the raw material, with the addition of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), citric acid (CA) as the crosslinking agent, and sodium hypophosphite (SHP) as the catalyst to produce hydroxypropyl cellulose/β-CD composite films. The inclusion of β-CD resulted in an increase in the tensile strength of the film, with the maximum value of 13.5 MPa for the 1 % β-CD composite membrane. Additionally, after degradation in soil for 28 days, the degradation ability was significantly enhanced, with the 1.0 % β-CD composite film exhibiting the highest degradation rate of 27.21 %. Furthermore, the water permeability of the composite membrane was improved with the addition of β-CD. Specifically, when the β-CD content was 1.0 %, the water vapor transmission reached its lowest point at 2,445 g* (m 2 * 24 d) − 1 . The findings demonstrated that the 1 % β-cyclodextrin/hydroxypropyl cellulose composite film effectively preserved the freshness of strawberries, reducing the weight loss rate by 1.65 % compared to the control group. In conclusion, this research highlights the potential for preparing composite membranes using HPC and β-CD crosslinking, thereby expanding the application of hydroxypropyl cellulose and β-CD in food preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amphiphilic {[Cd3(L)2(phen)2(H2O)6]·2H2O·2DMF}n (1) (H3L = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid and phen = phenanthroline) and hydrophilic [Zn3(L)2(H2O)12]n (2) were obtained via hydrothermal reactions. Compound 1 is less hydrophilic due to its hydrophobic phen ligands. Hydrogen bonds extend along one direction in compound 1 and two directions in compound 2; thus, the hydrogen bond continuity of compound 1 is less than that of compound 2. The proton conduction behaviors of the two compounds as fillers of Nafion composite membranes were studied. The results show that the optimal doping amounts of 1 and 2 are 5% and 3%, respectively, and the proton conductivities of 1/Nafion-5 and 2/Nafion-3 composite membranes are about 29% and 60% higher than the proton conductivity of the pure Nafion membrane, respectively. The relationships between the structures and properties have been explored; the inherent hydrogen bonding chains or networks in the crystal structures as well as the additional continuous hydrogen bonds formed between the hydrophilic groups on the surface of their particles and the –SO3H groups of Nafion can provide more proton transfer pathways. The higher doping amount of compound 1 was attributed to its hydrophobic phen ligand, which can promote its compatibility and interactions with the Nafion membrane and reduce aggregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer electrolyte membranes with superior lithium‐ion (Li+) conductivity and sufficient electrochemical stability are desired for all‐solid‐state lithium‐ion batteries (ASS‐LIBs). This paper reports novel polymer composite membranes consisting of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers (Nfs) containing lithium salts. It is first revealed that the lithium salt addition increases polar surface groups on the PAN nanofibers. Subsequently, the lithium salts‐containing PAN nanofiber (PAN/Li Nf) composite membrane affects the matrix poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/lithium bis(trifluoromethyl sulfonylimide) (LiTFSI) electrolyte to increase the numbers of Li+ with high mobility. Consequently, the PAN/Li Nf composite membrane shows relatively good ion conductivity (σ = 9.0 × 10−5 S cm−1) and a considerably large Li+ transference number (tLi+ = 0.41) at 60 °C, compared to the PEO/LiTFSI membrane without nanofibers. The 6Li solid‐state NMR study supports that the PAN/Li Nf bearing abundant polar nitrile groups at their surface enhances Li+ diffusion in the PEO‐based electrolyte membranes. The galvanostatic constant current cycling tests reveal that the PAN/Li Nf composite membrane possesses good electrochemical and mechanical stabilities. The ASS‐LIB consisting of the PAN/Li Nf composite membrane shows significantly improved charge and discharge cycling performances, promising future all‐solid‐state batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights This work investigates the comprehensive exploration of transport properties in natural rubber/graphene oxide‐silica hybrid core‐shell (NR/GSC) nanocomposites, focusing on diffusion, sorption behavior, swelling parameters, and gas permeability. The study evaluates the performance of the composite membranes concerning oxygen and nitrogen gas permeability (71.3% and 68.48% reduction, respectively). The experimental results reveal the sorption behavior, swelling parameters, and transport coefficients of NR/GSC composites, providing valuable insights into the material's behavior in different environments. Among various compositions, GSC10 stands out as the optimal composition, exhibiting superior diffusion and gas permeability behavior compared to other compositions. How the filler geometry and concentration are interconnected on the transport properties is carefully dissected, offering a deeper comprehension of the correlation between filler characteristics and composite performance. The study predicts that the Peppas‐Sahlin model and Affine model for mole percentage solvent uptake and molecular mass between successive crosslinks, respectively, best fit experimental values. This work contributes to the growing knowledge in the field of nanocomposites, providing a meticulous perspective on the transport properties of NR/GSC membranes and emphasizing the superior performance of the GSC10 composition. NR/GSC hybrid nanocomposites showed reduced solvent uptake. A 71.3% reduction in oxygen and 68.48% reduction in nitrogen permeation. Theoretically modeled using Peppas‐Sahlin, Korsmeyer‐Peppas, Nielsen and s GSC nanoparticles shows excellent dispersion in NR matrix Enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced environmental footprint in tire manufacturing technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe membrane, a core element in pervaporation technology, is of utmost importance for its advancement. Membrane modification is one of the most effective means of achieving an efficient membrane, which is crucial for the progress of this technology. High selectivity and flux can be achieved by modifying the membrane or membrane polymer by changing properties such as the surface energy, surface roughness, arrangement of polymer chains, and polymer network. Hence, recent publications on various methods for modifying polymeric membranes in the context of pervaporation applications are meticulously summarized and categorized, and aging and fouling factors have been mentioned in this review. This evaluation provided a thorough summary of the benefits and drawbacks of each method. Among the numerous techniques, mixing, crosslinking, and surface modification are commonly employed to modify polymeric membranes specifically tailored for pervaporation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel aryl‐ether‐free polyaromatics with different‐sized cationic headgroups tethered to the backbone are synthesized via superacid‐catalyzed polycondensations and subsequent Menshutkin quaternization reactions for potential application as anion exchange membranes (AEMs) in electrolysis. Experimentally, the effect of four different heterocycloaliphatic quaternary ammonium cationic headgroups on the AEM properties, such as the hydroxide conductivity, water uptake, swelling ratios and alkaline stability, is fully explored. Thin films are prepared by spin‐coating these AEMs onto porous polytetrafluoroethylene substrates. With a high degree of quaternization, these new aryl‐ether free polyaromatic thin film AEMs achieved high conductivities and good mechanical stability. The highest hydroxide conductivity of 45 mS cm−1 is achieved with excellent alkaline stability and conductivity retention of 96% after 30 days in 1 m KOH at 80 °C. Due to the polytetrafluoroethylene substrates, the swelling ratios and water uptake are relatively small, which ensured the astute dimensional stability of these thin film AEMs. The combined effect of alkaline‐stable cationic headgroups, an aromatic backbone and a robust substrate led to a promising thin‐film AEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we design an efficient and cost-effective porous membrane composed by polymeric blend that supports different photocatalytic materials. The thin (300 μm) porous photocatalytic membrane has a tubular shape and was flexible for easy handle in the reactor. The membrane is composed of a polymeric blend based on cellulose acetate, crystalline nanocellulose and polyvinyl alcohol, obtained by the phase inversion method, using cold water as non-solvent. Bismuthates (KBiO 3 , NaBiO 3) and aluminates (ZnAl 2 O 4 and Cu 0·9 Zn 0·1 Al 2 O 4) powders were synthesized by diverse methodologies and were embedded into polymeric matrix. The hydrogen evolution performance of photocatalyst powders and photocatalytic composite membranes, under UV light irradiation during 180 min, were compared. The best result of hydrogen evolution was obtained by Cu 0·9 Zn 0·1 Al 2 O 4 powders reaching 117.74 μmolg−1h−1 and the M−CuZn membrane reaching 90.07 μmolg−1h−1. The obtained results show the high potential of these polymeric membranes as a green alternative support for photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution. [Display omitted] • Cost-effective membrane composed by polymeric matrix (CA/CNC/PVA) such as Support for different photocatalysts. • Tubular shape, porous, flexibility and hydrophilicity character and easy of handle are shown in all membranes. • M − CuZn membrane reached 90.07 μmolg-1h-1 of hydrogen evolution performance. • The reuse of M − CuZn proved stability after three cycles of use with a decrease only 28% of initial performance. • Not sacrificial reagents were used in this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silybin is a natural flavonolignan with potential anticancer, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties. In the present study, various loadings of silybin (1, 3, and 5 wt%) were encapsulated in poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) fibers by electrospinning, in order to produce new pharmaceutical composites with improved bioactive and drug delivery properties. The morphological characteristics of the composite fibrous structures were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the encapsulation efficiency and the release rate of silybin were quantified using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The analysis of the membranes' thermal behavior by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed the existence of interaction between PCL and silybin. An investigation of the cytocompatibility of the composite membranes revealed that normal cells displayed an unimpeded proliferation in the respective silybin concentrations; however, tumor cell growth demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition. Furthermore, an effective antioxidant activity against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in HEK-293 cells was observed for the prepared electrospun fibrous mats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ternary composite membranes have been developed for battery separator applications. • Membranes have been developed by varying silver nanowires and titanium dioxide nanoparticle content. • Ternary composites show improved mechanical and electrochemical responses. • An ionic conductivity > 10−4 S/cm has been obtained independently of the filler type and content. • The highest discharge capacity value has been obtained for the 5 wt% AgNWs/5 wt% TiO 2 /PVDF-HFP membranes. In the realm of polymer composites, there is growing interest in the use of more than one filler for achieving multifunctional properties. In this work, a composite separator membrane has been developed for lithium-ion battery application, by incorporating conductive silver nanowires (AgNWs) and titanium dioxide (TiO 2) nanoparticles into a poly(vinylidene fluoride- co -hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) polymer matrix. The composite membranes were manufactured by solvent casting and thermally induced phase separation, with total filler content varying up to 10 wt%. The ternary composites composites present improved mechanical characteristics, ionic conductivity and lithium transfer number compared to the neat polymer matrix. On the other hand, the filler type and content within the composite has little bearing on the morphology, polymer phase, or thermal stability. Once applied as a separator in lithium-ion batteries, the highest discharge capacity value was obtained for the 5 wt% AgNWs/5 wt% TiO 2 /PVDF-HFP membrane at different C-rates, benefiting from the synergetic effect from both fillers. This work demonstrates that higher battery performance can be achieved for next-generation lithium-ion batteries by using separator membranes based on ternary composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, due to the lack of drinking water and the increase in global demand, desalination by reverse osmosis (RO) has been developed. In this regard, activities have been carried out to increase water flux and salt removal, which are important indicators in this process, including membrane modification by loading nanoparticles (NPs). Process simulation plays an important role in reducing laboratory costs, improving efficiency, and investigating operational parameters in more detail. This is an important factor that leads us to process simulation. The simulation of the RO process by thin‐film composite membranes modified with nanoporous titanate (mNTs) NPs has been conducted using COMSOL software. The performance of this process was checked by loading different amounts of mNTs with the desired membrane. The results revealed that by adding 0.01 w % of mNTs to the membrane composition, the performance of the process was improved in that the initial water flux through the membrane increased by about 95.4 %, while the salt rejection remained nearby 98 % and did not decrease much. Finally, to validate and expand the simulation results, the model outcomes were compared with experimental data, and the mean relative error for water flux and salt removal percentage was 1.15 % and 0.83 %, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin-film composite (TFC) membranes have gradually replaced some traditional technologies in the extraction, separation, and concentration of high value-added pharmaceutical ingredients due to their controllable microstructure. Nevertheless, devising solvent-stable, scalable TFC membranes with high permeance and efficient molecule selectivity is urgently needed to improve the separation efficiency in the separation process. Here, we propose phenolphthalein, a commercial acid-base indicator, as an economical monomer for optimizing the micropore structure of selective layers with thickness down to 30 nanometers formed by in situ interfacial reactions. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the polyarylate membranes prepared using three-dimensional phenolphthalein monomers exhibit tunable microporosity and higher pore interconnectivity. Moreover, the TFC membranes show a high methanol permeance (9.9 ± 0.1 liters per square meter per hour per bar) and small molecular weight cutoff (-289 daltons) for organic micropollutants in organic solvent systems. The polyarylate membranes exhibit higher mechanical strength (2.4 versus 0.8 gigapascals) compared to the traditional polyamide membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incorporating mechanoluminescent (ML) materials into piezoelectric polymer nanofibers enables the development of advanced pressure sensors and human–machine interactive devices by providing mechanical flexibility and enhancing processibility. This study demonstrates that introducing water during the electrospinning process significantly improves the piezoelectric properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)‐based polymers, attributed to the enhanced formation of piezoelectrically active β‐phases. A biphasic relationship between piezoelectricity and water concentration is revealed, with an optimal water concentration of 4 wt.% for both polyvinylidene fluoride‐hexafluoropropylene (PVDF‐HFP) and polyvinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene (PVDF‐TrFE). Furthermore, the inclusion of water in the electrospinning solution facilitates the integration of ZnS: Mn2+ mechanoluminescent microparticles into the polymer fibers, resulting in fibrous composite membranes with significantly enhanced mechano‐optical responses. After thermal annealing, the fibrous membrane by electrospinning PVDF‐TrFE and ZnS: Mn2+ microparticles with 8 wt.% water addition demonstrates the best ML performance with high light emission intensity and reduced pressure threshold down to 18 kPa. This exceptional performance can be attributed to the local electric field generated by the encapsulation of microparticles within the PVDF‐TrFE fibers, which facilitates electroluminescence and subsequently boosts the overall light emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ion‐selective nanochannel membranes assembled from two‐dimensional (2D) nanosheets hold immense promise for power conversion using salinity gradient. However, they face challenges stemming from insufficient surface charge density, which impairs both permselectivity and durability. Herein, we present a novel vacancy‐engineered, oxygen‐deficient NiCo layered double hydroxide (NiCoLDH)/cellulose nanofibers‐wrapped carbon nanotubes (VOLDH/CNF‐CNT) composite membrane. This membrane, featuring abundant angstrom‐scale, cation‐selective nanochannels, is designed and fabricated through a synergistic combination of vacancy engineering and interfacial super‐assembly. The composite membrane shows interlayer free‐spacing of ~3.62 Å, which validates the membrane size exclusion selectivity. This strategy, validated by DFT calculations and experimental data, improves hydrophilicity and surface charge density, leading to the strong interaction with K+ ions to benefit the low ion transport resistance and exceptional charge selectivity. When employed in an artificial river water|seawater salinity gradient power generator, it delivers a high‐power density of 5.35 W/m2 with long‐term durability (20,000s), which is almost 400 % higher than that of the pristine NiCoLDH membrane. Furthermore, it displays both pH‐ and temperature‐sensitive ion transport behavior, offering additional opportunities for optimization. This work establishes a basis for high‐performance salinity gradient power conversion and underscores the potential of vacancy engineering and super‐assembly in customizing 2D nanomaterials for diverse advanced nanofluidic energy devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic polymer composites are very versatile candidates to fabricate soft robots and actuators thanks to their unique properties such as flexibility and shape memory effect. Thus, the possibility to reproduce natural shapes provides new tools for bioengineering applications. The wide panel of deformations of magnetic polymer composites can be implemented to mimic the movements and curvatures of living tissue. Herein, magnetic polymer membranes are developed to explore cell growth under curved, reversible, and controlled deformations. NdFeB/polydimethylsiloxane composite membranes (86 μm and 46 μm thick) are obtained by soft lithography and magnetized in rolled position under 3 T. Once actuated by a low magnetic field (5–86 mT), the membranes are deformed in wavy shapes with a deformation height of maximum 1.4 and 1.7 mm and a curvature radius of minimum 1.8 and 0.6 mm (86 μm and 46 μm thick membranes, respectively), for a maximum magnetic field of 86 mT. Then, Caco‐2 cell viability is studied on deformed substrates under a static (106 mT) and varying (8–78 mT) magnetic field. No increase in cell death is observed, validating a well‐characterized and promising approach for a new generation of dynamic and curved substrates for cell culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recovery of pure water and valuable substances from wastewater is a major challenge in the context of the circular economy, requiring advanced separation methods. However, actual membrane separation techniques such as forward osmosis are limited by membrane fouling and selectivity. Here, we synthesized composite membranes by crosslinking polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel, using both glutaraldehyde and borax as crosslinking agents, on top of cellulose ester membranes. We tested these composite membranes on model and real wastewater. Results show that the composite membranes retain ammonium effectively, maintain surface electroneutrality, and exhibit remarkable resistance to fouling by organic and biological contaminants. This is explained by the high hydrophilicity of the membrane surface after application of a hydrogel layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An electrochemical immunosensor was designed and fabricated for the purpose of sensing the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) biomarker. The immunosensor utilized a novel approach for surface modification with a composite comprising Fe3O4 nanoparticles decorated on carboxyl functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (COOH-MWCNTs). This distinctive surface tailoring of the glassy carbon electrode (GCE), amplified signals and facilitated electron transfer. The MWCNTs with COOH groups served as an excellent substrate for electrode modification, enabling the formation of a sandwich-like structure by binding to anti-CEA antibody. Additionally, Fe3O4 nanoparticles played a crucial role in electron transfer facilitation. The presence of HRP conjugated with the anti-CEA antibody triggered the reduction of H2O2 in the electrochemical system of the sensor, resulting in an augmentated current. The concentration of CEA was directly proportional to the immunosensor analytical performance. The immunosensor demonstrated a suitable linear range from 0.005 ng mL−1 to 2.5 ng mL−1, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.3 pg mL−1. Notably, this immunosensor demonstrated exceptional reproducibility and stability, showcasing its suitability for measuring CEA in both real serum samples. These promising outcomes establish an overview for the adoption of such sensors into diagnostic clinics in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nafion membranes are widely used as proton exchange membranes, but their proton conductivity deteriorates in high-temperature environments due to the loss of water molecules. To address this challenge, we propose the utilization of porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs) as a potential solution. PAFs exhibit remarkable characteristics, such as a high specific surface area and porosity, and their porous channels can be post-synthesized. Here, a novel approach was employed to synthesize a PAF material, designated as PAF-45D, which exhibits a specific surface area of 1571.9 m2·g−1 and possesses the added benefits of facile synthesis and a low cost. Subsequently, sulfonation treatment was applied to PAF-45D in order to introduce sulfonic acid groups into its pores, resulting in the formation of PAF-45DS. The successful incorporation of sulfonic groups was confirmed through TG, IR, and EDS analyses. Furthermore, a novel Nafion composite membrane was prepared by incorporating PAF-45DS. The Nyquist plot of the composite membranes demonstrates that the sulfonated PAF-45DS material can enhance the proton conductivity of Nafion membranes at high temperatures. Specifically, under identical film formation conditions, doping with a 4% mass fraction of PAF-45DS, the conductivity of the Nafion composite membrane increased remarkably from 2.25 × 10−3 S·cm−1 to 5.67 × 10−3 S·cm−1, nearly 2.5 times higher. Such promising and cost-effective materials could be envisioned for application in the field of Nafion composite membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) membrane in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) is hindered by the trade-off between proton conductivity and ion selectivity. To optimize its performance, the metal-organic frameworks loaded with phytic acid (PA-UiO-66-NH2) are introduced into the SPEEK matrix to construct a proton-selective transport channel. Better proton conductivity and ion selectivity are achieved in composite membranes due to the unique porous structure and chemical characteristics of PA-UiO-66-NH2 fillers. When the PA-UiO-66-NH2 content is at 2 wt%, the S/PA-UiO-66-NH2-2 membrane exhibits higher proton conductivity (35.3 mS cm−1) and ion selectivity (41.0 × 103 S min cm−3) compared to other composite membranes, pristine SPEEK and commercial Nafion 212 membranes. As a result, the S/PA-UiO-66-NH2-2 membrane shows excellent energy efficiencies (88.1%-74.0%) at current densities ranging from 60 to 180 mA cm−2. The cell efficiencies maintain stability during the 300 times charge-discharge cycle, proving the outstanding stability and durability of the S/PA-UiO-66-NH2-2 membrane in a strong acidic and oxidizing environment. These results suggest that the combination of phytic acid and metal-organic framework can effectively improve the performance of the membranes, and it also can be further utilized to solve other challenges in the membrane separation field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella is a notoriously important pathogen that can cause human latent, acute, and chronic foodborne diseases. This work excavated a silver nanomaterial AgDAMP with a thiolate ligand as a novel composite bacteriostat to understand the inhibitory effects on Salmonella and to explore its antimicrobial mechanisms from the aspects of membrane structure damage, biofilm inhibition, and protein expression. The characterization results of its morphology, particle size, chemical bonds, elements, and crystal structure showed that AgDAMP were small-sized spherical nanoparticles with a certain crystallinity. AgDAMP could combat effectively the planktonic Salmonella, manifested as loss of membrane integrity, enhanced permeability, cytoplasmic leakage, and changes of cell morphology. Our study also suggested that AgDAMP not only significantly interfered with biofilm formation but also destroyed mature biofilm. Proteomic profiling indicated that the exposure to an inhibitory concentration of AgDAMP altered conspicuously more protein expression in Salmonella than a subinhibitory concentration. KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway analysis revealed that differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were primarily enriched in the ribosome, ABC transporters, and biosynthesis of secondary metabolite pathways. Furthermore, we found that AgDAMP significantly altered the expression of regulators associated with cellular DNA replication, protein synthesis, membrane transport, cell motility, and oxidative stress, which affected cell growth. These data provide new prospects for the responses of Salmonella to AgDAMP exposure, indicating that AgDAMP could be used as a novel nanotechnology for the treatment of foodborne pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractFirstly, the SiO2 microspheres were prepared by Stӧber method, and then modified by 3-Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (KH-540) to introduce –NH2 onto the microspheres. Then, SiO2-NH2 microspheres were mixed into polysulfone casting solution, and SiO2-NH2/PSF composite membrane was prepared by the phase conversion method. On this basis, the functional adsorbent SiO2-NH2/PSF-g-PMAA was prepared by grafting polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) as a functional monomer using –NH2/S2O82− surface initiation system. The samples were characterized by Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and weighing method. The adsorption properties of amlodipine (ADP) by functional adsorbents were investigated, and the adsorption mechanism was further studied. The results show that the adsorption reaches equilibrium at 180 min, and the adsorption kinetics can be well fitted by the pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption capacity of SiO2-NH2/PSF-g-PMAA for amlodipine in methanol with 1.4 mg/mL at 15 °C is 137 mg/g. The adsorption ability increases with the decrease of ionic strength and temperature via the hydrogen bond and ionic interactions, and the adsorption of ADP by SiO2-NH2/PSF-g-PMAA is consistent with the D-R adsorption isotherm model. Thermodynamic parameters imply that adsorption is a spontaneous and exothermic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing interest in dental practice in intranasal anesthesia using tetracaine and oxymetazoline dictates the need for their simultaneous determination in combination drugs and human saliva. Potentiometric multisensory systems based on perfluorosulfonic acid membranes, including polyaniline‐modified ones, were developed for these purposes. A change in the distribution of the sensor sensitivity to the related analytes was achieved by variation of the conditions for concentration polarization at the membrane interface with a studied solution due to a change in the intrapore volume, nature, and availability of the sorption centers, as well as the hydrophilicity of the membrane surface that were specified by the conditions for their synthesis and subsequent hydrothermal treatment. Reversibility of the analyte sorption using the chosen conditions for regeneration provided long‐term stable work of both the sensors and the calibration equations established by multivariate linear regression. The membrane modification promoted their resistance to fouling. The relative errors of the simultaneous tetracaine and oxymetazoline determination in the combination drug solutions were no greater than 7% and 11%, while in the artificial saliva solutions, they were 15% and 17%, respectively, when an array of the cross‐sensitive sensors based on the composite membranes prepared by different methods was used. The analysis errors were reduced to 3%–6% when analyzing the drug and to 0.2%–6% when analyzing the artificial saliva if an array was organized with the sensors based on the membrane with the dopant and the membrane without it, due to the decreasing correlation between their responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-fluorinated chitosan-based proton exchange membranes (PEMs) have been attracting considerable interest due to their environmental friendliness and relatively low cost. However, low proton conductivity and poor physicochemical properties have limited their application in fuel cells. In this work, a reinforced nanofiller (sulfonated CS/GO, S-CS/GO) is accomplished, for the first time, via a facile amidation and sulfonation reaction. Novel chitosan-based composite PEMs are successfully constructed by the incorporation of the nanofiller into the chitosan matrix. Additionally, the effects of the type and amount of the nanofillers on physicochemical and electrochemical properties are further investigated. It is demonstrated that the chitosan-based composite PEMs incorporating an appropriate amount of the nanofillers (9 wt.%) exhibit good membrane-forming ability, physicochemical properties, improved proton conductivity, and low methanol permeability even under a high temperature and low humidity environment. When the incorporated amounts of S-CS/GO are 9 wt.%, the proton conductivity of the composite PEMs was up to 0.032 S/cm but methanol permeability was decreased to 1.42 × 10−7 cm2/s. Compared to a pristine CS membrane, the tensile strength of the composite membrane is improved by 98% and the methanol permeability is reduced by 51%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer has shown great application prospects in the fields of polymer film due to its outstanding tensile properties, high elasticity, wear resistance, oil resistance, low temperature resistance, wide range of hardness, and other properties. However, its flammable properties greatly limit its application in the field of polymer film. The self-made GO was used as a carbon source, phenylboronic acid as an acid source, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) as an acid and gas source, and intumescent flame retardant (IFR) was compounded. The IFR was introduced into thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) to prepare a series of IFR/TPU composite films with different formulations. The results show that PA and GO can make up for the loss of mechanical properties caused by the addition of APP and improve the thermal stability of the composite film, and the IFR flame retardant composed of the two and APP can effectively improve the flame retardancy of the composite film. When the additions of APP, PA, and GO were 10, 3, and 0.75%, respectively, the LOI value of the IFR/TPU composite material reached 29.5, the flame-retardant grade reached V-0, and its peak heat release rate, total heat release, peak smoke production rate, and total smoke release were 86.0, 64.9, 70.5, and 21.7%, greatly lower than pure TPU, respectively. The flame retardancy of the spacer composite membrane constructed from Ti-7 was significantly improved, and the burn-through time of the single-layer film sample was increased by 2.22 times, and the double-layer film sample was increased by 2.63 times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanofibers have been widely studied as one of the promising materials for fabricating flexible electronic strain sensors. Surface modification of carbon nanofibers by conducting polymers is a simple yet effective approach to constructing strain sensors with good conductivity and sensitivity. In this work, composite nanofiber membranes composed of carbon nanofiber and conducting polymer are developed via in situ polymerization of pyrrole, aniline, and thiophene respectively on the surface of the carbon nanofiber which serves as a substrate. Different composite membranes, CNF@PANI, CNF/Ppy, and CNF@PTh, are successfully manufactured. The conducting polymer‐carbon nanofiber composite membranes exhibit improved conductivity as well as response sensitivity compared to pristine carbon nanofiber membranes. Among different composite membranes being studied, CNF/Ppy demonstrates the highest strain‐sensing performance. It shows good sensitivity, reproducibility, and stability in detecting both subtle (strain = 0.1%) and large (strain = 25%) deformation. The excellent strain‐sensing performance of CNF/Ppy endows the composite membrane with great potential for applications in wearable electronics. Highlights: Adding PANI, Ppy, and PTh could improve the conductivity of the CNF sensor.Ppy doping has a good effect on the performance of the CNF strain sensor.CNF/Ppy strain sensor has high sensitivity, stability, and durability.CNF/Ppy sensors can detect deformation caused by human movement.CP‐CNF composite material has good flexibility and mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are compatible with perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymers due to their rich hydrophilic functional groups and nanoscale particle size, making them suitable as inorganic fillers for proton exchange membranes. In this work, CQDs synthesized by a simple microwave-assisted pyrolysis method were used to improve the performance of PFSA proton exchange membranes. Research indicates that at 80 °C and 100% relative humidity (RH), the proton conductivity of the PFSA membrane increased to 254 mS/cm with the addition of 0.5 wt% CQDs filler, compared to 249 mS/cm for the original PFSA membrane. This enhancement in proton conductivity is likely attributed to the hydrophilic functional groups present on CQDs, such as carboxyl groups (–COOH) and amino groups (–NH2). Furthermore, a notable decrease in hydrogen permeability was observed in the composite membranes due to the incorporation of CQDs. Specifically, the hydrogen permeability of the PFSA/CQDs-2 composite membrane was reduced by approximately 44% compared to the original PFSA membrane. This reduction in hydrogen permeability is likely a result of cross-linking between the sulfonic acid groups in PFSA and the amino groups in CQDs. In conclusion, CQDs contribute to better proton conductivity, lower hydrogen permeability, and enhanced thermal and mechanical stability for PFSA membranes, making them a potential membrane material for high-temperature operation in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose fiber membranes have been of great interest in the battery research community due to their excellent electrolyte affinity and thermal stability. However, they have long been plagued by issues such as unevenly distributed large pores and poor mechanical strength. In this study, we employed a unique method combining cellulose partial dissolution, phase separation, and in situ growth of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) to optimize the pore structure of cellulose fiber membranes, and successfully fabricated a uniform nanoporous cellulose composite membrane. The optimized cellulose composite membrane demonstrated outstanding performance, including higher porosity (63.7%), electrolyte absorption (432%), and ion conductivity (1.43 mS cm−1), lower interfacial resistance (87 Ω), and lower desolvation activation energy (56.1 KJ mol−1). ZIF nanoparticles as an anion-sorbent grown on the nanoporous surface can enhance lithium-ion transportation and alleviate the decomposition of anions. Most importantly, the LiFePO4/membrane/Li cell assembled with this cellulose composite membrane showed excellent cycling stability with a capacity retention of 95% after 300 cycles at a current density of 1C. We anticipate that this work could promote the applications of sustainable cellulose fiber membranes in the battery industry in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel screening approach is presented, merging capillary electrophoresis analysis with an enzymatic assay employing immobilized α-glucosidase. A metal–organic framework composite membrane was devised for α-glucosidase immobilization. Employing polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as the substrate material, it was functionalized with dopamine, creating a polydopamine composite layer. This layer acted as a covalent linker, anchoring Zn2+, which subsequently chelated with the organic ligand 2-ethylimidazole, leading to the self-assembly of a three-dimensional porous framework ZIF-8. This structure facilitated the in situ encapsulation of α-glucosidase. Characterization techniques including scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction validated the composite material's structure. A thorough investigation of various parameters affecting immobilization was conducted. The immobilized α-glucosidase exhibited enhanced pH tolerance, thermal stability, and remarkable reusability, retaining 79.3% of its original activity over 10 cycles, with a batch-to-batch reproducibility of 5.9% (n = 5). Its Michaelis–Menten constant (Km) was determined to be 2.85 mM. Application of this immobilized enzyme in screening potential inhibitors from 13 traditional Chinese medicines revealed Sanguisorba radix as the most potent inhibitor. This study underscores the potential of this immobilized enzyme screening strategy for identifying enzyme inhibitors in traditional Chinese medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Inspired by the Chinese Knotting weave structure, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) nanofiber composite membrane with a twill surface was prepared. The EMI shielding efficiency (SE) of the composite membrane was 103.9 dB when the MXene/silver nanowires (MXene/AgNW) content was only 7.4 wt% and the surface twill structure improved the EMI by 38.5%. The nanofiber composite membrane demonstrated an excellent thermal management performance, hydrophobicity, non-flammability, and performance stability, which was demonstrated by an EMI SE of 97.3% in a high-temperature environment at 140 °C. Inspired by the Chinese Knotting weave structure, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) nanofiber composite membrane with a twill surface was prepared. Poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene) (Pva-co-PE) nanofibers and twill nylon fabric were used as the matrix and filter templates, respectively. A Pva-co-PE-MXene/silver nanowire (Pva-co-PE-MXene/AgNW, PMxAg) membrane was successfully prepared using a template method. When the MXene/AgNW content was only 7.4 wt% (PM7.4Ag), the EMI shielding efficiency (SE) of the composite membrane with the oblique twill structure on the surface was 103.9 dB and the surface twill structure improved the EMI by 38.5%. This result was attributed to the pre-interference of the oblique twill structure in the direction of the incident EM wave, which enhanced the probability of the electromagnetic waves randomly colliding with the MXene nanosheets. Simultaneously, the internal reflection and ohmic and resonance losses were enhanced. The PM7.4Ag membrane with the twill structure exhibited both an outstanding tensile strength of 22.8 MPa and EMI SE/t of 3925.2 dB cm−1. Moreover, the PMxAg nanocomposite membranes demonstrated an excellent thermal management performance, hydrophobicity, non-flammability, and performance stability, which was demonstrated by an EMI SE of 97.3% in a high-temperature environment of 140 °C. The successful preparation of surface-twill composite membranes makes it difficult to achieve both a low filler content and a high EMI SE in electromagnetic shielding materials. This strategy provides a new approach for preparing thin membranes with excellent EMI properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, composite proton exchange membranes (PEMs) based on functionalized graphene oxide (NGO) and carboxylated sulfonated poly aryl ether ketone sulfone (C-SPAEKS) were successfully synthesized. Functionalized graphene oxide was synthesized using graphene oxide as a substrate, and then diethylenetriamine (DETA) was chemically bound to the graphene oxide. The 1H NMR, FT-IR and XPS were used to characterize the NGO and composite membranes. The results show that the composite membranes have good proton conductivity, dimensional stability and electrochemical performance. The swelling rate of all the composite membranes was less than 18%, which indicates that they have good dimensional stability. Compared to C-SPAEKS membrane (34.8 mS cm-1 at 20 °C, 109.8 mS cm-1 at 90 °C), the proton conductivities of C-SPAEKS/GO-0.75 membrane (52.4 mS cm-1 at 20 °C, 171.1 mS cm-1 at 90 °C) were significantly improved. Meanwhile, the C-SPAEKS/NGO-0.75 achieved peak power density of 407.77 mW cm-2 at high OCV of 0.9576 V. Such a result is much superior to the C-SPAEKS membrane (0.8973 V, 190.72 mW cm-2) and the Nafion 117 (0.99 V, 302 mW cm-2), and demonstrated good single-fuel cell performance. In summary, it can be well concluded that functionalized GO as filler makes an significant contribution in improving the overall performance of the composite membranes. • Functionalized GO containing amino group was synthesized. • An efficient and orderly proton transport channel was constructed. • The hybrid PEMs showed good proton conductivity (171.1 mS cm-1, at 90 °C). • The hybrid PEMs showed good single cell performance (407.77 mW cm-2, 80 °C, 100% RH). • Acid-base combination could improve proton conductivity effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CoNi LDH@NF composite membrane was fabricated. • CoNi LDH@NF membrane exhibited excellent activity in PMS activation for 2,4-DCP degradation. • The practical applicability of Coni LDH@NF-PMS system was investigated. • The reactive mechanism of CoNi LDH@NF-PMS system was proposed. In this study, the cobalt-nickel layered double hydroxides (CoNi LDH) were synthesized with a variety of Co/Ni mass ratio, as CoxNiy LDHs. In comparison, Co1Ni3 LDH presented the best peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation efficiency for 2,4-dichlorophenol removal. Meanwhile, CoNi LDH@Nickel foam (CoNi LDH@NF) composite membrane was constructed for enhancing the stability of catalytic performance. Herein, CoNi LDH@NF-PMS system exerted high degradation efficiency of 99.22% within 90 min for 2,4-DCP when [PMS] 0 = 0.4 g/L, Co1Ni3 LDH@NF = 2 cm × 2 cm (0.2 g/L), reaction temperature = 298 K. For the surface morphology and structure of the catalyst, it was demonstrated that the CoNi LDH@NF composite membrane possessed abundant cavity structure, good specific surface area and sufficient active sites. Importantly, ·OH, SO 4 ·− and 1O 2 played the primary role in the CoNi LDH@NF-PMS system for 2,4-DCP decomposition, which revealed the PMS activation mechanism in CoNi LDH@NF-PMS system. Hence, this study eliminated the stability and adaptability of CoNi LDH@NF composite membrane, proposing a new theoretical basis of PMS heterogeneous catalysts selection. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrospinning technology has recently attracted increased attention in the biomedical field, and preparing various cellulose nanofibril membranes for periodontal tissue regeneration has unique advantages. However, the characteristics of using a single material tend to make it challenging to satisfy the requirements for a periodontal barrier film, and the production of composite fibrous membranes frequently impacts the quality of the final fiber membrane due to the influence of miscibility between different materials. In this study, nanofibrous membranes composed of polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers were fabricated using side-by-side electrospinning. Different concentrations of gelatin were added to the fiber membranes to improve their hydrophilic properties. The morphological structure of the different films as well as their composition, wettability and mechanical characteristics were examined. The results show that PCL/PLA dual-fibrous composite membranes with an appropriate amount of gelatin ensures sufficient mechanical strength while obtaining improved hydrophilic properties. The viability of L929 fibroblasts was evaluated using CCK-8 assays, and cell adhesion on the scaffolds was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and by immunofluorescence assays. The results demonstrated that none of the fibrous membranes were toxic to cells and the addition of gelatin improved cell adhesion to those membranes. Based on our findings, adding 30% gelatin to the membrane may be the most appropriate content for periodontal tissue regeneration, considering the scaffold's mechanical qualities, hydrophilic properties and biocompatibility. In addition, the PCL-gelatin/PLA-gelatin dual-fibrous membranes prepared using side-by-side electrospinning technology have potential applications for tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The significance of hydrogen energy has grown considerably due to climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels. PEM fuel cells are the key hydrogen technologies. Commercial membranes based on perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) with a polymer structure containing fluorine are currently available. However, it has been determined that certain perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs) are hazardous, persistent, and bioaccumulative. Advancements in hydrogen technology rely on effective, inexpensive, and perfluorocarbon‐free membranes, specifically proton exchange membranes (PEMs). In this research, a PFSA‐free polyacrylonitrile‐co‐methyl acrylate (PAN‐MA) membrane doped with phosphoric acid is prepared using the electrospinning method and then characterized by SEM, FE‐SEM, XRD, FTIR, TGA, DMA, and EIS. The DMA analysis reveals that the storage modulus of the doped membrane increases from 0.98 to 5.66 MPa at 80 °C. The nanofiber composite membrane, with a thickness of 181 µm, exhibits the highest proton conductivity of 0.306 S m−1 at 20 °C, 1.76 times higher than that of the Nafion 212 membrane. The Nafion 212 membrane has an ionic conductivity of 0.173 S m−1 under the same conditions. These results indicate that the prepared nanofiber membranes are promising materials for evaluating fuel cell applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a series of collagen–chitosan–eugenol (CO–CS–Eu) flow‐casting composite films were prepared using collagen from sturgeon skin, chitosan, and eugenol. The physicochemical properties, mechanical properties, microstructure, as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the composite membranes were investigated by various characterization techniques. The findings revealed that the inclusion of eugenol augmented the thickness of the film, darkened its color, reduced the transparency, and enhanced the ultraviolet light‐blocking capabilities, with the physicochemical properties of the CO–CS–0.25%Eu film being notably favorable. Eugenol generates increasingly intricate matrices that disperse within the system, thereby modifying the optical properties of the material. Furthermore, the tensile strength of the film decreased from 70.97 to 20.32 MPa, indicating that eugenol enhances the fluidity and ductility of the film. Added eugenol also exhibited structural impact by loosening the film cross‐section and decreasing its density. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results revealed the occurrence of several intermolecular interactions among collagen, chitosan, and eugenol. Moreover, the incorporation of eugenol bolstered the antioxidant and antimicrobial capabilities of the composite film. This is primarily attributed to the abundant phenolic/hydroxyl groups present in eugenol, which can react with free radicals by forming phenoxy groups and neutralizing hydroxyl groups. Consequently, inclusion of eugenol substantially enhances the freshness retention performance of the composite film. Practical Application: ● The CO–CS–Eu film utilizes collagen from sturgeon skin, improving the use of sturgeon resources.● Different concentrations of eugenol altered its synergistic effect with chitosan.● The CO–CS–Eu film is composed of natural products with safe and edible properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, novel silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) ceramic composite nanofiltration membranes with high performance were successfully synthesized at low sintering temperatures by gradual dip-coating approach for the first time. The slow dip-coating process facilitated improved wetting and even spreading of the precursor solution across the substrate. This controlled method ensured the formation of uniform and continuous SiOC ceramic membranes without the introduction of substantial defects or irregularities. Consequently, the systematic approach minimized the occurrence of pinholes, cracks and other structural imperfections in the SiOC ceramic membranes. The synthesis of the SiOC separation layer involved the sintering of polymeric polysilicon as precursor, which caused a lower decomposition temperature in contrast to the conventional method employing silicon carbide powder for sintering. The specific feature enabled a sharp decrease in the sintering temperature which was required for the formation of the separation layer. The prepared SiOC ceramic composite nanofiltration membranes exhibited good permeability with high rejection of dye molecules (>95%) and maintained stable water flux for at least 24 h, showing good long-term stability during cross-flow filtration. This progress provides new approach for the fabrication of compact ceramic nanofiltration membranes with low sintering temperatures, high separation efficiency and enhanced stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Innovative in-situ growth and layer-by-layer assembly technique for reinforced GO/BiOBr 2D membranes. • Membranes feature high water permeance (493.9 LMH/bar) and high molecular rejection efficiency (>99 %). • GO/BiOBr composite membranes exhibit outstanding photocatalytic self-cleaning performance under visible light. • Provides a viable route for fabricating functionalized GO-based nanofiltration membranes, combining high permeability with self-cleaning capabilities. Graphene oxide (GO) membranes have emerged as promising candidates for water purification applications, owing to their unique physicochemical attributes. Nevertheless, the trade-off between permeability and selectivity, coupled with their vulnerability to membrane fouling, poses significant challenges to their widespread industrial deployment. In this study, we introduce an innovative in-situ growth and layer-by-layer assembly technique for fabricating multilayer GO membranes reinforced with bismuth oxybromide (BiOBr) on commonly employed Nylon substrates. This method allows for the creation of two-dimensional lamellar membranes capable of photocatalytic self-cleaning and tunable nanochannel dimensions. The synthesized GO/BiOBr composite membranes exhibit remarkable water permeance rates (approximately 493.9 LMH/bar) and high molecular rejection efficiency (>99 % for Victoria Blue B and Congo Red dyes). Notably, these membranes showcase an enhanced photocatalytic self-cleaning performance upon exposure to visible light. Our work provides a viable route for the fabrication of functionalized GO-based nanofiltration membranes with BiOBr inclusions, offering a synergistic combination of high water permeability, modifiable nanochannels, and effective self-cleaning capabilities through photocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A zwitterion-modified fiber substrate was used to fill with SPEEK to prepare PEM. • Zwitterionic interface provided fast channels for proton transport. • High proton conductivity and chemical stability were obtained. • Better DMFC performance than that of commercial Nafion 212 membrane was obtained. Proton exchange membranes with high ionic conductivity and good chemical stability are critical for achieving high power density and long lifespan of direct methanol cells (DMFCs). Herein, a zwitterionic molecule was grafted onto the surface of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibers to obtain functionalized PVDF porous substrate (SBMA-PDA@PVDF). Then, sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) was filled into the pores of SBMA-PDA@PVDF, and further ionic cross-linked via H 2 SO 4 to prepare the composite membrane (SBMA-PDA@PVDF/SPEEK). The basic groups on the zwitterionic interface could not only establish ionic cross-linking with SPEEK to increase chemical stability and reduce swelling, but also serve as the adsorption sites for subsequent H 2 SO 4 cross-linking to significantly enhance proton conductivity. Super-high proton conductivity (165.34 mS cm−1, 80 °C) was achieved for the membrane, which was 2.12 times higher than that of the pure SPEEK. Moreover, the SBMA-PDA@PVDF/SPEEK membrane exhibited remarkably improved oxidative stability of 91.6 % mass retention after soaking in Fenton's agent for 12 h, while pure SPEEK completely decomposed. Satisfactorily, the DMFC assembled with SBMA-PDA@PVDF/SPEEK exhibited a peak power density of 99.01 mW cm−2, which was twice as much as that of commercial Nafion 212 (48.88 mW cm−2). After 235 h durability test, only 11 % voltage loss was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Two kinds of natural and renewable materials are combined to fabricate novel 2D membranes for osmotic energy conversion. • The heterogeneous membranes help to the balance of the trade-off between ion selectivity and ion flux. • A record power density of ∼16.57 W/m2 is achieved with the synergism of space and surface charge. • The ion transport mechanism is theoretically investigated by numerical simulations based on Poisson and Nernst–Planck models. As promising prospects for renewable power harvesting, two-dimensional (2D) nanochannels for osmotic energy capture in a reverse electrodialysis arrangement have garnered significant attention. However, existing 2D nanochannel membranes have shown limited power generation capabilities due to challenges in balancing ion flux and selectivity. Here, we construct montmorillonite (MMT)/TEMPO-mediated oxidation cellulose nanofibers (TOCNFs) nanocomposite membranes for enhanced ion transmembrane transport. The intercalation of TOCNFs not only enlarges the interlayer distance, but also provides abundant space charge inside the nanochannels. Benefiting from the strong ion selectivity and high ion flux, the composite membrane achieves a remarkable power output of ∼16.57 W/m2 in the gradient of artificial seawater and river water, exceeding that of the state-of-the-art heterogeneous membrane-based osmotic energy conversion systems. Both experimental and theoretical findings confirm that the synergism of space and surface charge plays a crucial role in promoting osmotic energy conversion. This research contributes valuable insights into the optimization of 2D membranes for efficient clean energy harvesting purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) applied in fuel cell technology suffer from the trade-off between fast proton conduction and durable operation involving dimensional stability, mechanical strength, and oxidative resistance. To address this issue, a novel branched polybenzimidazole (brPBI) was synthesized, covalently cross-linked with (3-chloropropyl)triethoxysilane (CTS), and doped with a novel proton conductor FeATMP to prepare brPBI-CTS/FeATMP membranes. The branching degree of brPBI was optimized to achieve high molecular weight while the branching structure offered high free volume, abundant end-groups, and self-cross-linking moiety that enhanced proton conduction and dimensional/mechanical/oxidative stability. Covalent cross-linking with CTS enhanced the dimensional, mechanical, and oxidative stability while improving the water-assisted proton conduction owing to the hydrophilic nature of siloxane structure formed. At 180 ℃, the proton conductivity of the brPBI3-CTS/FeATMP composite membrane reached 0.136, 0.073, and 0.041 S cm−1 at 100 % RH, 50 % RH, and 0 % RH, respectively, while its swelling ratio after immersion in water at 90 ℃ for 24 h was 4.69 %. The performance of the membranes demonstrated that construction of hydrophilic structure by covalent cross-linking was a successful strategy to break the trade-off effect for PEMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The difficulty of recycling and the finite photocatalytic performance of primitive nano-photocatalysts restrict their application in wastewater purification. In this study, a multifunctional membrane with efficient synergistic adsorption and degradation performance was constructed. The nano-photocatalyst layered bimetallic oxide (LDO) was combined with the matrix membrane polyarylether nitrile (PEN) by delayed phase transition technology. The introduced 2-Methylimidazole (2-MeIm) provided a virtual electron transfer pathway between PEN and LDO and enhanced the photocatalytic performance. The results suggested that PEN/LDO/2-MeIm has outstanding removal performance to organic dyes methylene blue (MB). After three consecutive cycles, the reacted membrane can be readily recovered from the system. The MB removal rate remained high at 89.38%, suggesting that the functional membrane is eligible for recycling and reuse. Finally, based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the mechanism and pathway of MB photodegradation by the PEN/LDO/2-MeIm system were proposed. Therefore, constructing PEN/LDO/2-MeIm membranes in this study may offer a novel perspective on creating eco-friendly and functional PEN-based membranes for practical use in wastewater purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Intelligent shape memory polymer can be potentially used in manufacturing implantable devices that enables a benign variation of implant dimensions with the external stimuli, thus effectively lowering insertion forces and evading associated risks. However, in surgical implantation, biomaterials-associated infection has imposed a huge burden to healthcare system that urgently requires an efficacious replacement of antibiotic usages. Preventing the initial attachment and harvesting a biocidal function upon native surfaces may be deemed as a preferable strategy to tackle the issues of bacterial infection. Herein, a functionalized polylactic acid (PLA) composite membrane assembled with graphene (GE, a widely used photothermal agent) was fabricated through a blending process and then polydimethylsiloxane utilized as binders to pack hydrophobic SiO 2 tightly onto polymer surface (denoted as PLA-GE/SiO 2). Such an active platform exhibited a moderate shape-memory performance upon near-infrared (NIR) light stimulation, which was feasible for programmed deformation and shape recovery. Particularly stirring was that PLA-GE/SiO 2 exerted a pronounced bacteria-killing effect under NIR illumination, 99.9 % of E. coli and 99.8 % of S. aureus were effectively eradicated in a lean period of 5 min. Furthermore, the obtained composite membrane manifested excellent antiadhesive properties, resulting in a bacteria-repelling efficacy of up to 99 % for both E. coli and S. aureus species. These findings demonstrated the potential value of PLA-GE/SiO 2 as a shape-restorable platform in "kill&repel" integration strategy, further expanding its applications for clinical anti-infective treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Cu2+-chelated SPEEK membrane with high IEC is prepared. • High mechanical and dimensional stability are observed for SPEEK-Cu membrane. • Proton conductivity of SPEEK-based membranes reaches 0.074 S/cm at −25 °C. • Water states of samples at subzero temperatures are quantified via DSC analysis. • SPEEK-Cu membrane possesses a stronger anti-freezing property. Improving the proton conductivity (σ) of proton exchange membranes at low temperatures is very important for expanding their application areas. Here, sulfonated poly ether ether ketone (SPEEK) membranes were prepared with different sulfonation degrees, and its maximum ion exchange capacity is 3.15 mmol/g for 10 h at 60 °C. Highly sulfonated SPEEK membrane exhibits ultra-high water uptake and excellent proton conductivity of 0.074 S/cm at −25 °C due to its abundant −SO 3 H. Nevertheless, its high swelling ratio and low mechanical strength are not conducive to the practical application of the membrane. Luckily, by employing the chelation of Cu2+ with −SO 3 − on the SPEEK chain, Cu2+-coordinated SPEEK membranes were prepared, and they not only retain high −SO 3 H content but also possess robust mechanical properties and good dimensional stability compared to pristine SPEEK membrane. Meanwhile, the σ of the SPEEK-Cu membrane reaches 0.054 S/cm at −25 °C, and its fuel cell maximum power (W max) reaches 0.42 W/cm2 at −10 °C, demonstrating superior low-temperature performance in comparison to other reported materials. Particularly, water states in the prepared membranes are quantified by low-temperature differential scanning calorimetry. Because much more water bound to the plentiful −SO 3 H and Cu2+ inside the membrane endows it with anti-freezing performance, the decay of the σ and the W max for the SPEEK-Cu membrane is retarded at sub-zero temperatures. It is envisioned that composite membranes comprising metal ions such as Cu2+-SPEEK have a high potential for sub-zero fuel cell applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3D printed mixed matrix membrane (MMM) thin film, as a novel adsorbent, was introduced for the extraction of two steroid hormones from wastewater and tap water samples before their determination by high-performance liquid chromatography. The designed adsorbent was fabricated as thin film utilizing digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing. The thin film was made of acrylate photo resin, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), and polyvinylpyrrolidone and its application was investigated for thin film microextraction of 17β-estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1). The morphology of the 3D printed film surface and its chemical changes were studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The surface wettability of the proposed MMM films was measured by water contact angle analysis and its porosity was studied by N2 adsorption/desorption analysis. To attain optimal microextraction performance, optimization of both thin film composition and microextraction procedure was conducted, followed by a thorough evaluation of figures of merit under the optimized conditions. The limits of detection and quantitation were determined to be 1.5 and 5 µg L−1 for both E2 and E1. The linear dynamic range for both compounds was from 5 to 150 µg L−1. The method's repeatability was investigated on a single film for 6 extractions, as well as on 3 different films and the relative standard deviation values were 4.43 and 4.91 for E2 and 5.36 and 6.03 for E1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]